Author's Note: Wow. This had been a really really long time. I am so sorry to everyone that has been waiting. But with graduation coming up it's difficult for me to turn down an opportunity to hang out with my friends before we go our separate ways. Most of us are going to go to the same school but the classes we're taking and such are different. Anyway, you guys are all still really important. But when I was reflecting on this story I realized that a kidnapping would add way to must drama for my tastes, so I present you with a re-write. Since I am on spring break, I will offer you something. If I reach 200 reviews by Thursday (today is Tuesday), then I will make this story 17 chapters long and I will try to update once or twice a week. But I will be out of town the week after next week so I'll try my best to provide you with 3 or 4 updates before I leave. If you review, I'll write. I'm just addicted to them. I know you don't want to read my rambling anymore so here's is the re-write of Chasing Time Chapter 10.

Chapter 10 – Rewrite – Running in Circles

"DEREK STOP!" Meredith broke out into a large grin Derek quickly worked his one-million-dollar-a-year hand on her stomach. He knew that her waist was her most ticklish spot and he wouldn't stop.

"Aww come on. You can't bring someone down like that Mer."

"Derek…." He smiled as he looked at their reflection in the mirror. He turned his head for a moment and sighed. Right now, everything was perfect. Madison was off at a friend's and they had the whole house to themselves.

"Are you using my toothbrush again?" Meredith looked up at Derek and saw him raise his eyebrows.

Meredith bit the side of her toothpaste-covered lip and looked at the white and blue toothbrush.

"Maybe…" It sounded like 'mahhh-beeeee' but Derek understood somehow.

Derek smiled and looked at her with his perfect indigo eyes, "You know what that means right?"

"No. Don't!" Meredith quickly spit out the foam and turn to try to run but Derek pinned her back to the sink with his hands on either said of her waist. As if she was light as a feather, he picked her up and threw her up on his shoulder and walked down the stairs, heading for the kitchen with the toothbrush dropping into the sink. Derek set her down on table and took out a can of whipped cream. He took the nozzle and pointed it directly at her, "All's fair in love and war."

"Derek." Meredith giggled and pick up the adjacent bowl of fruit. She held it up to his chin and couldn't stop laughing when she saw the shocked look on his face.

"What are you planning to do Meredith? Feed me."

"No fair. You got something better."

"Yeah. I got you." Derek quickly leaned in filling the gap between them. He felt her smile against his lips as he picked her up again.

"I'm. So. Glad. That. We're. Not. Working. Today," said Meredith in between kisses.

"Me. Too. In. fact…" Derek pulled away and set Meredith down on the table again until they were exactly eye level. "I want you to know that I'm sorry. I know that I left and it was unfair. I didn't want to leave you. I just wanted to fix the mistakes that I made. And I'm sorry."

"Derek… please don't bring this up…"

Meredith turned her head. She couldn't bear face him. Facing him meant that she had to look into his eyes. And that meant telling the truth… about how she felt. Derek sensed this and turned to the side and moved to be under her. Just do that his nose barely brushed hers. She beat him by 4 inches in height and thus forced her to look into his eyes.

"I love you Meredith. I don't know what I was thinking. I love you and I love Madison."

"I…" She couldn't say it. The words hurt. Meredith knew that the moment that she would say those three words, she would just get hurt again. Feel the pain that burned through her heart every night for the last five years. It was easy to love him but not to forgive him or be completely honest. If there was one thing that Meredith Grey was scared of these days was telling the truth. Why? Because the truth hurts.

"I don't understand what to do anymore." Meredith pulled her coat against her chest to look out the frigid winter air. New York was freezing. She instantly placed her hands on her swollen stomach protecting her unborn child from the cold. Meredith looked at Mark.

"I don't know what I should tell you. Derek was my best friend. I really want to make it up to him but… you know how stubborn he can be. I'm actually surprised that he came back with Addison instead of putting up a fight to stay in Seatttle…"

His eyes gave off a sincere look with was hard to hate… or doubt. A moment of silence crept over them. Meredith removed her hands from her stomach and placed them on the edges of her forehead. Why did life have to suck so much?

"Why'd you sleep with Addison?"

Mark was taken aback by this… the answer was pretty obvious but it seemed like he and Meredith know the feeling of rejection… the feeling of fear… of being the dirty ex-mistress.

"I'm in love with her. I needed to do something. She was vulnerable and I wanted her. Derek found us and left. She stayed with me. It was all okay until she left for Seattle and then she never really came back."

Manhattan General Hospital was definitely one of the best in the country. And possibly the world. Meredith looked at the landscape. Night had fallen and the chill in the air became colder. Mark comfortingly placed his hands on top of hers, "You need to tell him how you feel Meredith."

"Life never goes to the side of the dirty ex-mistresses."

"Yeah. But it just depends on how it will all go down. You need to tell him…"

"Only if you tell Addison."

"Do you wanna know secret?"

"Sure. I'm here in New York… waiting for the love of my life and his wife… I've got time."

"Addison never told Derek about us. The affair was longer than just that once… and after Derek left."


Meredith raised her eyebrows. 'McSteamy and Addison have been hiding this for how long?'

"Really? Seriously?"

"Oh yeah. Total, one and a half years. The year came after Derek left. Addison and I were emotionally involved for six months before we actually… you know. She called me over one night when she was feeling lonely and needed someone to talk to. Next thing you know we were on the bed, Derek walks in, turns are and leaves."

"Oh…"

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Well I have to take this. If you're ever in New York and in need of a bed to sleep in…"

"I'm okay."

"I hope you make the right decision. With Derek. Who knows maybe Addison will come back to me."

"I hope things go down on our side."

"Bye Meredith."

"Mark."

"What's wrong?" Derek looked at Meredith and saw the extreme hurt in her eyes.

"I went to New York to go after you."

Well, one down… it depends on you for the number of chapters left.

--when she's not bleeding on the ballroom floor just for the attention

Time to Dance by Panic! At the Disco – one of the best bands on the planet